Common Concerns

Are 16- and 17-Year-Olds Mature Enough to Vote?

One of the most common concerns with the proposal to lower the voting age to 16 is the maturity level and capability of 16- and 17-year-olds to make informed decisions while voting. However, research shows that 16- and 17-year-olds demonstrate the same levels of citizenship and cold cognition — the cognition ideally used in voting — as adults who have the right to vote.